Regime Change in Iran: Is American Dominance Our Only Hope?

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," host McKay Coppins sits down with Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid to dissect the escalating conflict with Iran and the controversial pursuit of regime change. Following the seismic military strikes that claimed the life of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hamid — author of the provocative new book “The Case for American Power” — explores the moral and strategic contradictions of U.S. intervention in foreign countries. Drawing on his unique perspective as an American Muslim, Hamid traces his personal journey toward reluctantly embracing American dominance as the world's "best hope" against rising authoritarianism in China and Russia.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• The Death of Khamenei: Why the Trump administration targeted the Iranian leader and the unpredictable consequences for regional stability.

• Democracy vs. Autocracy: The core argument for why American hegemony, despite its deep flaws, remains a moral necessity.

• The "Day After" Problem: Critiquing the lack of a stabilization plan for a post-regime Iran.

• The Israel Factor: Assessing the influence of regional allies on U.S. military decision-making.

Welcome to Deseret Voices, a weekly podcast from the Deseret News (https://deseret.com) that brings depth, nuance and respect to conversations about today’s complex topics and current events. Join our hosts, award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, every Thursday as they go beyond news headlines by talking with newsmakers and thought leaders to find common ground and uncover unique perspectives on today’s critical issues in politics, faith, sports, and more.